Feeding foliar nano-selenium biofortified panax notoginseng could reduce the occurrence of glycolipid metabolism disorder in mice caused by high-fat diets

Abstract

Nano-selenium (nano-Se) has been extensively explored as a biostimulant for improving the quality of grain crops. However, there are few reports about the effect on the medicinal components of Chinese herbal medicine cultured with nano-Se. Here, we sprayed nano-Se during the cultivation of Panax notoginseng (SePN), and measured the changes of medicinal components compared with conventional Panax notoginseng (PN). Furthermore, we identified a more pronounced effect of SePN on reducing obesity in animals compared with PN. By measuring antioxidant capacity, histopathology, gene expression related to glycolipid metabolism, and gut microbiota composition, we propose a potential mechanism for SePN to improve animal health. Compared with the control groups, foliar spraying of nano-Se increased saponins contents (Rb2, Rb3, Rc, F2, Rb2, and Rf) in the roots of Panax notoginseng, the content of Rb2 increased by 3.9 times particularly. Interestingly, animal studies indicated that taking selenium-rich Panax notoginseng (SePN) can further ameliorate liver antioxidation (SOD, MDA, and GSH) and enzyme activities involved in glycolipid metabolism (ATGL and PFK). It also relieved inflammation and regulated the expression of genes (MCAD, PPAR-α, and PCSK9) related to fatty acid oxidation. The abundance ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroides and beneficial bacteria abundance (Bifidobacterium, Butyricimonas, and Parasutterella) in gut microbiota were improved relative to the control. In summary, the application of nano-Se on PN may effectively raise the content of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) and immensely lower the risk of metabolic disorders of glycolipids.

Nano‐selenium foliar intervention‐induced resistance of cucumber to Botrytis cinerea by activating jasmonic acid biosynthesis and regulating phenolic acid and cucurbitacin

“…By employing continuous stirring at 500 rpm and maintaining a temperature of 25 °C, a colloidal solution of selenite NPs was successfully dispersed at the nanoscale. Following this, 4 mL of a 1% ascorbic acid solution was slowly introduced, and the mixture was continuously stirred at 25 °C and 500 rpm for 3 h. The solution underwent a transformation in color, changing to a transparent red hue, indicating the completion of the nanometric Se synthesis process 30 . For detailed characterization data, consult our previous publication 31 …”

“…Following this, 4 mL of a 1% ascorbic acid solution was slowly introduced, and the mixture was continuously stirred at 25 °C and 500 rpm for 3 h. The solution underwent a transformation in color, changing to a transparent red hue, indicating the completion of the nanometric Se synthesis process. 30 For detailed characterization data, consult our previous publication. 31 There were five treatment groups receiving different Nano-Se concentrations: 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 50.0 mg L −1 , with 15 plants per treatment.…”